Application timeline · From submit to Day 0

What happens
after you
apply.

A clear map of every stage from submission to Day 0. Realistic timing ranges, what we look at, and what you should have ready.

01The timeline

Six stages. One decision at each.

We move in days, not months. Each stage either advances to the next or ends with a clear no. There is no long maybe list.

01Application received
Day 0–2

You get an auto-acknowledgment and a quick anti-spam check. A human reads every application. We do not use an algorithmic screen.

Confirmation email with a copy of your submission.

02First-pass review
Day 2–7

We check fit against four things: a technical founder, a named buyer or wedge, full-time availability, and a realistic experiment scope. Most applicants receive a clear no here.

Yes, no, or a short list of follow-up questions.

03Diligence calls
Day 7–14

Two or three video calls with operators. We dig into the buyer and the wedge. We also assess the product state and your working style. You leave each call with a written take-away.

Operator notes and a preliminary reading on fit.

04Working session & references
Day 14–21

One working session, usually two to three hours, where we build or sell together. We also speak with one or two references you provide.

A joint sense of whether the experiment is tractable.

05Term sheet & SAFE
Day 21–28

We issue a plain-English term sheet: 15% common equity and a Build-value SAFE. You review it with your own counsel. Terms are standardized; negotiation is limited to edge cases.

Signed term sheet and SAFE paperwork.

06Onboarding to Day 0
Day 28–42

Legal close, infrastructure credits, sales-bench briefing, and the first named-buyer list. The cohort start date is fixed once documents are signed.

A Day-0 kickoff and your first weekly ship target.

02What can slow it down

The four common delays.

Slow reference replies
We need one or two references who can speak to your work. Delays here push the working session back.
Unclear buyer or wedge
If the application names a broad market instead of a specific buyer, we ask for more detail before moving to diligence.
Founder availability
If you cannot schedule calls within a week, we pause the process. The cohort moves fast and starts on a fixed date.
Legal review
We encourage you to use your own counsel. Budget a few days for review; our documents are short and standard.
03What to prepare

Have these ready before you apply.

  • Your real buyer list, with names and titles if possible.
  • A one-paragraph description of the wedge you want to test.
  • A short work sample or demo that shows current product state.
  • Two references who have worked directly with you.
  • Calendar availability for two or three video calls in the next two weeks.

The application asks for these directly. Incomplete submissions are not reviewed.

04At a glance

The numbers.

Total time from apply to Day 0
4–6 weeks

Typical range.

Live calls during diligence
3–5

Including the working session.

Documents to sign at close
2

Common-equity purchase + SAFE.

Cohort start after signature
7–14 days

Used for onboarding and bench briefing.

Cohort 01 · Applications open

If the timeline works, apply.

Read the method and the terms first. The application takes about fifteen minutes if you have the buyer list and wedge ready.